Plans to redevelop Istanbul’s Gezi Park to build a shopping centre and mosque sparked a wave of protests in Turkey in June 2013. Anti-government demonstrations by green activists were met with an excessive use of force by Turkish police. The Turkish Medical Association reported that more than 8,000 people were injured at the scene of the demonstrations.

In the days following the initial protest, hundreds of activists formed a makeshift camp in Gezi Park. On the night before Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party rally, riot police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to clear the camp. The rally on June 16 attracted hundreds of thousands of AKP supporters.

Activists continued to hold silent protests and free speech forums. The action against the demolition of Gezi Park turned into more widespread demonstrations against Erdogan’s rule.